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In the course of my research into the work, Ayinla Omowura: Life and Times of an Apala Legend, I came to the conclusion that stardom and eccentricity are intertwined. One of my sources told me that one day in the late 1970s, Omowura, the late Yoruba musician, as a litigant in a matter that took place in an Abeokuta, Ogun State High Court, walked into the courtroom clutching a half-smoked wrap of burning marijuana. The judge was so scandalized that he shouted, “Get out of here! Where do you think you are!” apparently in deference to his stardom; otherwise, he should have been arrested forthwith. Virtually all musicians parade one eccentric feature or the other. Iconic maestro, poet, philosopher and staunch defender of African rights, Winston Hubert MclnTosh, popularly known as Peter Tosh, was in this mould. Aside from his staunch belief, like many other Rastafarians, that smoking marijuana was a spiritual purification exercise, Tosh was extremely controversial and did not care whose ox

Since the declaration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the President-elect of the federal Republic of Nigeria from the Presidential election conducted on 25th February, 2023, a lot of issues have been generated. While some of the points raised appear germane, some are illogical and unreasonable while some others ridiculously off target. Expectedly in a democracy there will always be dissenting voices but it becomes worrisome when some toxic views and positions which have the potential of destroying the nation’s nascent democracy seem to be canvassed and pushed into the public domain for our consumption. It is obvious that the election that has brought in Asiwaju Tinubu is not a perfect one. Of course, no democratic system, anywhere in the world is a perfect one. The beauty of democracy is that it is self-correcting, and gets better over time. It will be unfair for anyone to say that we have not improved in our democratic practice. It is a system that has continued to deepen over time, with ve

T he choir of the Surulere branch of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Nigeria, Ayo Nio, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 23. Formed 50 years ago by the current General Overseer of the church, Senior Special Apostle S.F. Korode, Surulere choir of the movement has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the church›s legacy of gospel songs that have endured for several years. Their songs, covering about 42 albums, include ‘Lehin Jesu Ko Se Nikan', 'Paradise', 'Mojewo Jesu Kristi', 'Take Control', among others. According to Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Committee, Mr Olusola Gbadejo, the celebration commenced late last year with some programmes. It continued this year from the very first week in January and it runs through to the grand finale which comes up on April 23.